MP exclusion ‘disappointing’

Liberal Member for Kalgoorlie Kyran O’Donnell has vented frustration at the State Government’s decision to bypass his expertise during the consultation process for its Goldfields Aboriginal employment scheme.

Mr O’Donnell, a Kalgoorlie-Boulder resident for more than 30 years and shadow minister for Aboriginal Affairs, criticised the McGowan Government for not tapping his knowledge during the creation of the new Aboriginal Economic Development Taskforce.

The initiative, announced by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan on Friday, is a State-backed collaboration between the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission designed to promote job opportunities for Aboriginal people throughout the Goldfields. Speaking to the Kalgoorlie Miner, Mr O’Donnell said he supported the scheme but political affiliations should not interfere with Aboriginal affairs issues.

“They talked about getting industry leaders, Aboriginal leaders, the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the GEDC — and did not even give us the courtesy of inviting me,” he said. “I know we are Liberal but I’ve lived here for over 30 years. I’ve worked with Aboriginal people and with the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. I wouldn’t railroad it, but I could have had input and helped push it and support them — that is disappointing.

I would want to ensure it is not all about huff and puff... and gives every Aboriginal person who doesn’t work a chance.”

The taskforce was founded after more than 35 Aboriginal leaders, industry and government representatives met in Kalgoorlie to discuss opportunities to maximise economic participation in the Goldfields.

It comes in the wake of the McGowan Government calling for the $8 million Kalgoorlie City Centre Revitalisation Project to bolster Aboriginal employment and training. One Nation Member for Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Scott said he supported any idea to improve Aboriginal employment. However, he said the taskforce lacked commitment to long-term employment.

“There are so many different projects like this that have just fallen flat on their face. They end up just spending the money and nobody gets any worthwhile jobs out of it,” he said.

“What we are looking for is proper apprenticeships, proper traineeships. We don’t want to just employ Aboriginal people for six months just to do a project and boot them back on the street again.

“What we are looking for is long-term employment, and the only way they are going to get that is through training and apprenticeships.”